EXHIBIT 23.1
                                          
                               ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT 



The Shareholders and Board of Directors
Thomas & Betts Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements (No. 
33-1403, No. 33-35297, No. 33-56789 and No. 33-68370) on Form S-8, in the 
Registration Statements (No. 33-44153 and No. 333-34567) on Form  S-3 and in 
the Registration Statements (No. 33-15729 and No. 333-893) on Form S-4 of 
Thomas & Betts Corporation of our report dated February 5, 1998, relating to 
the consolidated balance sheets of Thomas & Betts Corporation and 
subsidiaries as of December 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 and the related 
consolidated statements of earnings, cash flows and shareholders' equity for 
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 28, 1997, which 
report appears or is incorporated by reference in the December 28, 1997 
annual report on Form 10-K of Thomas & Betts Corporation.  Our report 
contains a reference to our reliance on the report of other auditors who 
performed the audit of Augat Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, as of December 
29, 1996 and for each of the years in the two-year period then ended.


KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Memphis, Tennessee
March 12, 1998

                                     EX-23.1